Machine for treating cigarettes



June 29, 1943. w. SHAND MACHINE FOR TREATING CIGARETTES Filed Dec. 27, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet l 3 9 2. H H 8 uw i 4. 1 5 a. $0

0 2 1 65 0 2 Q Z w P4. 1 1 mi 4. m a. W7 5 D f/ 1 m o n am 4- w y m H 1 M1 0 1g Invenfiow June 29, 1943. w. SHAND 2,322,741

MACHINE FOR TREATING GIGARETTES Filed Dec. 27, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 @JMQ 7 777 i attorney 3 H 4. 7m 5 lllllllllllllllllll ll 2 4 4. ,7 1. J A s for W. SHAND 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 as v June 29, 1943.

MACHINE FOR TREATING CIGARETTES Filed Dec. 27, 1957 June 29, 1943. w. SHANP 2,322,747

MACHINE FOR TREATING CIGARETTES Filed Dec. 27, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 \QJGG 12s l 13 11 f In verifier 69 W5? 9% 4 attorney June 1943. w. SHAND 2,322,747

MACHINE FOR TREATING CIGARETTES FiledDec. 27, 1937 s sheets-sheets Patented June 29, 1943 MACHINE FOR TREATING CIGARETTES William Shand, Arlington, Mass., assignor to Tobacco Retention Corporation,

Brookline,

Mass., a corporatlonoi Massachusetts Application December 27, 1937, Serial No. 181,736

20 Claims.

The present invention relates to cigarette machines and more particularly to machines for applying treating material to one or both ends of a cigarette after delivery from a cigarettemaking machine. I

In U. S. Patent No. 2,190,107, granted on February 13, 1940, upon the application of Walter B. Pohle, there are disclosed methods of providing one or both ends of a cigarette with a treating fluid which forms there a water-resistant, porous cake or plug of-bound tobacco fibres and particles. The primary purpose of thus treating a cigarette is the double one, so far as smoking is concerned, of preventing loose particles of tobacco from coming oil on the smoker's tongue or in his mouth and also of retaining within the cigarette the fine tobacco dust which otherwise passes out with the smoke and is a source of irritation to the delicate membranes of the smoker's mouth, throat, and lungs. It.

may also be said that when cigarettes so treated are notbeing smoked, the particle and dust retention provided by the caking prevents bits of tobacco from being deposited in a box, jar, tray, or the like for holding cigarettes or in a smoker's pocket or handbag as when an opened package is carried there.

Bearing these treating purposes in mind, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a machine which practices methods brought out in the said Pohle patent for applying treating fluid to one or both ends 01 a cigarette. The treating fluid itself preferably includes binder material carried by an evaporable solvent, but may be of any nature or composition suitable for the purpose. The present invention difiers radically from the Pohle apparatus disclosure in that embodiments of the present invention treat individual cigarettes while by the Pohle apparatus the treating fluid is applied to a continuously formed rod prior to the operation of the cigarette cutting-oil mechanism.

To the accomplishment of the above-named principa1 object and of such other objects as may hereinafter appear, the present invention resides in certain constructions, combinations, and ar rangements of parts, all fully described hereinafter and then pointed out broadly and in detail in the appended claims, possessing advantages which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

The various features of the present invention will be readily appreciated from inspection of the accompanying drawings, illustrating the best forms of the invention at present'known to the inventor, in which Figure 1 is a view of the machine in front elevation;

Fig. 2 is a view of the machine in plan, the source of fluid supply not being shown;

Fig. 3 is a view of the machine in right side elevation, out 01f at the top along the line H of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detail view in elevation, partially in section, taken along the line 4-4 of Fig, 3;

Fig. 5 is a detail view in sectional elevation taken along the line 5-5 01 Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a detail view in perspective of one of the cigarette cradles;

' Fig. 7 is a detail view in perspective of the lower end of the cigarette stack chute, the cradled cigarette being shown in the position occupied when it is about to receive treating fluid;

Fig. 8 is a detail view in right side elevation taken along the line 8,-8 of Fig. 7, the cigarettes being shown in the position they occupy Just before the cradle withdraws the lowermost cigarette from the stack;

Fig. 91s a view'similar to Fig. 8, the cradle being shown in the position occupied shortly after it has withdrawn the lowermost cigarette from the stack; a

Fig. 10 is a detail view in sectional plan taken along the line Ill-Ill of Fig. 5, the applicator being shown in the act of applying treating fluid to a cigarette end;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10, the applicator being rotatively spaced degrees from its Fig. 10 position;

Fig. 12 is a detail view in sectional elevation, similar to the upper portion of Fig. 5, but showing the applicator in the form of a nozzle having its valve open;

Fig. 13 is a detail view in sectional plan taken along the line l3-I3 of Fig. 12, the nozzle valve being shown about to close;

Fig. 14 is a detail sectional view taken along the line "-44 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 is a detail view in plan showing an embodiment of the present invention operatively connected to a cigarette-making machine and adapted to receive cigarettes directly therefrom;

Fig. 16 is a detail view in right side elevation, partially in section, of the-apparatus shown in Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a detail view in perspective showing the cigarette holder and associated parts ofthe Fig. 15 embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 18 is a detail view in plan showing a different embodiment of the present invention operatively connected to a cigarette-making machine and adapted to receive cigarettes directly therefrom;

Fig. 19 is a detail view in right side elevation,

, partially in section, of the apparatus shown in are provided with a prime mover which comprises an electric motor 29 (Figs. 1, 2, and 3) to the rotor 2| of which the rear end of a drive shaft 22 is operatively connected by means of a suitable coupling 23. Adjacent its forward end the drive shaft 22 is suitably journaled in a standard 24 (Figs. 1, 2, and 3), thrust bearings 25 and 25 being mounted on the drive shaft at the front and rear, respectively, of the standard. The forward end of the drive shaft carries a hand wheel 21 for manual rotation when desired, and completing the above-described structure is a worm 28 mounted fast on the drive shaft adjacent the thrust bearing 26. The motor 29 and the standard 24 are suitably mounted on a table T, as indicated in Figs. 1, 3, and 4.

The worm 28 meshes with and rotates counterclockwise a worm gear 29 secured to a shaft 3|) which is suitably joumaled in spaced standards 3| (Figs. 1, 2, and 3) located forwardly of the machine and at opposite sides thereof on the table T, and secured to the shaft 30 so as to be located between the standards 3| are a pair of spaced sprocket wheels v32. .At the rear of the machine (Figs. 2 and 3) there are provided spaced standards 33, like the standards 3|, in which is suitably joumaled a shaft 34 at the level of the shaft 30. A pair of spaced sprocket wheels 35, like the sprocket wheels 32, are mounted on the shaft 34 between the standards 33 so as to be aligned with the sprocket wheels 32, respectively, and a pair of endless chains 36 (Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 7 having the usual pins 31, cylinders 33, and plates 38A (Figs. 3, 7, 8, and 9) extend lengthwise of the machine so as to pass around and be supported in spaced relation by the sprocket wheels. By reason of the above construction it will be seen that the upper runs of the chains 36 move horizontally in a forward direction.

The function of the chains is the double one of supporting a series of cradles each adapted to hold a cigarette and of transferring the cradled cigarettes forwardly along the machine for successive presentment to treating fluid applying means and thereafter for discharge from the machine. To the first of these ends the illustrated embodiments of the present invention are provided with four such cradles (Figs. 1-9), indicated generally by the numeral 39 and all identical and equally spaced apart. With particular reference to Figs. 6, '1, 8 and 9 each cradle 39 is, merely for purposes of illustration, shown as being provided with a base plat 40 substantially as long as the distance transversely of the machine between the outer chain plates 38A, while resting flatwise on the base plate 40 is a plate 4| the opposite ends of which extend beyond the ends of the plate 40 and depend at an angle of 90 degrees so as to form ears 42 which are the same size as a chain plate 38A and form substitutes therefor at the outer sides of each chain, as indicated, best in Figs. 4 and 7. Openings 43 (Fig. 6)

chain pins 31 to secure the plate 4| to the chains.

Supported by the opposite end portions of the plate 4| are cigarette-supporting members each comprising an inwardly directed base plate portion 44 resting flatwise on the plate 4| and an upstanding ear 45 aligned substantially with the adjacent depending ear 42. The upstanding ears 45 are each provided with an obtuse V-notch 46 (Fig. 6) the rearward incline of which preferably extends upwardly to a greater height than does the forward incline, which latter preferably has a rounded top. The supporting members 44-45 are removably secured to the plate 4| by screws 41 which also serve to secure the base plate 40 to the plate 4|, and the plate portions 44 are spaced apart on the plate 4| a distance substantially less than the length of a cigarette, as indicated in Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5, and '7. Completing the structure of each cradle 39 are three fingers 48, 49, and 59 which are integral with the plate 49 and are upstanding at its rear. The finger 49 is relatively wide and is located centrally of the rear of the cradle, while the fingers 48 and 50 are relatively narrow and are spaced from the finger 49 so as to stand at the opposite ends of the cradle, adjacent the respective notched ears 45.

With the above-described construction for each cradle, it will be seen that the illustrated embodiments of the present invention are provided with mechanism whereby the cradles 39 pursue an endless circuit on the chains 35, traveling horizontally and forwardly with the upper runs of the chains and horizontally and rearwardly with the lower runs of the chains. A cigarette 5| supported by a cradle on the upper chain runs is carried therealong forwardly (to the left, viewing Figs. 2 and 3) and is discharged to some suitable receiver (not shown) as the cradle approaches the position shown at the left in Figs. 2 and 3.

In order to supply each cradle 39 with a cigarette 5|, for transfer along the upper runs of the chains 36 so that one or both ends of the cigarette may receive treating fluid, it is contemplated that in the illustrated embodiments of the present invention the cigarettes are received by the cradles either after the latter have reached to top horizontal chain runs, i. e., are at their uppermost level, or before they have reached their uppermost level, as, for example, while the supporting chain portions for the cradles 39 are still engaged with the sprocket wheels 35.

To achieve this first type of receiving, the embodiments of the present invention illustrated in Figs. 1-14 are provided rearwardly on opposite sides with spaced upright braces 52 (Figs. 2 and 3) secured at their lower ends to the standards 33, respectively. and secured at their inwardly bent upper ends to the opposite sides of the lower portion of a cigarette stack holding mechanism so as to form asupport for it. The stack holding mechanism, indicated generally by the reference numeral 53 (Figs. 1, 3, 7, 8, and 9), is provided with two upright frame members 54 symmetrically constructed, each frame member having throughout its length a cross section such as to provide (Figs. 2, 3, and 7) a transversely exedge face of each of the forwardly extending a similar inanner the distance between the inner faces of the forwardly extending frame portions 55 is only slightly greater than the length of a cigarette. By reason of this construction, it will be seen that there is provided what is in effect a chute in which a stack of horizontal cigarettes may be placed, as indicated in Figs. 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9. and down which they may move while each remains in a horizontal position. The frame members 54 and plates 58 may extend upwardly any suitable distance, while their downward termination, as indicated best in Figs. 8 and 9, is preferably such as to be just cleared by the cradle fingers 48, 49, and 59 when the cradles 39 are on the upper runs of the chains 35.

In order to support from below the cigarette stack in the chute, the embodiments of the present invention illustrated in Figs. 1-14 are provided with a pair of supporting fingers 59 (Figs.

7, 8, and 9). Each of the fingers 59 comprises a rear vertical portion 50 (Figs. 8 and 9) secured to the rear face of the lower end of a transverse frame member portion 55, a forwardly extending portion underlying its associated frame portion 55, a downwardly and forwardly curved stack-supporting portion 52 underlying the chute proper, i. e., the interior of the chute, and a forwardly and downwardly extending portion 53 terminating at a point slightly spaced above the level of the cradle base plate portions 44 (see Fig. 9) as a cradle rests beneath the fingers 59 on the upper runs of the chains 35. Inasmuch as the fingers 59 are largely below the level of the top of the upright cradle fingers 48, 49, and 59, the fingers 59 are secured to the frame portions 55 in such manner as to be located between the central finger 49 and the adjacent end cradle finger 48 or 55, as the case may be, thereby clearing the cradle 39 as it passes by them.

As indicated in Figs. 8 and 9, the curved portion 52 of each finger 59 is preferably so positioned downwardly with respect to the bottom of the frame members 54 and the plates 58, i. e., with respect to the bottom of the chute, that only the lowermost cigarette of a stack in the chute extends below its bottom. As also indicated in Figs. 8 and 9, the curvature of the curved finger portions 52 is substantially the same, as that of a cigarette so that the weight of the stack is distributed partiallyaround the circumference of the lowermost cigarette instead of only along its bottom portion and so does not flatten saidbottom portion as would be the case were the finger portions 52 flat instead of curved as shown. 5

But while it is desirable that the finger portions 52 have the curvature described, it is also desirable that the weight of the stack not cause the lowermost cigarette to be thrust forwardly along the finger portions 53, an action which the curvature of each finger portion 52 more or less invites. To prevent this result, the embodiments of the present invention illustrated in Figs. 1-14 are provided with a construction which acts on theupper part of the lowermost cigarette at a point generally opposite its engagement areas with the finger portions 52, and which also acts on cigarettes above the lowermost one.

Describing this last-named structure in detail, and with reference to Figs. 7, 8, and 9 in particular, a fiat plate 54 extends transversely across the vertical chute plates 58 at their lower ends and engages them fiatwise. Across the lower portion of the plate 54 there extends transversely an intermediate fiat plate 55 coterminous with the plate 54, and registering with the intermediate plate 55 is a forward 'fiat plate 55. These three plates are secured in position by means of screws 51 which are threaded through the vertical chute plates 58 and into the forwardly extending frame portions 55. Gripped iii interposition between the plate 54 and the iritermediate plate 55 are two depending fiat springs 55, substantially as wide as the fingers 59 and aligned with them, respectively, so as to clear the cradles 39. With particular reference to Figs. 8 and 9, below the plates 54 and 55 each spring 58 is provided with a reverse curve,

v the first part of which extends rearwardly and downwardly and the terminating part of which extends downwardly and forwardly. By reason of this construction, the first part of the reverse curve of each spring 58 engages the next to the bottom cigarette 5| and exerts a slight rearward and upward pressure upon it; the point of reversal of the curve is substantially between this cigarette and the lowermost one; and the second or forwardly curving part of the reverse curve of each spring 58 engages the periphery of the lowermost cigarette at a point somewhat below its top so as to exert a slight pressure more or less rearwardly and downwardly. By reason of the slight rearward and upward pressure which the first reverse curve part of each spring 58 exerts on the next to the bottom cigarette, it will be seen that any tendency of the weight of the stack to flatten the top portion of the lowermost cigarette is counteracted. The springs 58 have a flexibility such that the lowermost cigarette may be easily withdrawn, as will be described, and so as to offer no impedance to the downward movement of the stack after the withdrawal, but are of sufficient stiffness so that they tend to prevent any action which theweight of the stack might have to dislodge the lowermost cigarette forwardly from the curved finger portions 52 were no springs 58 present. Cooperating with the springs 55 in the performance of this lastnamed function is a fiat spring plate 59 clipped over the top of the transverse plate 54 so as to depend rearwardly thereof in the space between the frame plates 58 and in engagement with several of the lower cigarettes in the stack, terminating downwardly at about the median line of the next to the bottom one. This spring plate 59, like the springs 58, exerts a slight rearward pressure, but notenough to impede the downward movement of the stack.

Completing the above-described structurebut performing a function which will be later described, are two additional-fiat springs 15, the rear portions of which are upstanding and are interposed between the intermediate plate 55 and the forward plate 55 and, like the springs 58, are maintained in position by the squeezing pressure exerted by reason of the screw mounting of the plates 54, 55, and 55. The springs I5 are substantially as wide as the fingers 59 and the springs 58, and register with them so as to clear the cradles 39, but extend above and forwardly of the finger portions 53, as indicated in downward direction.

finger portions 62.

Since the preceding paragraphs have been devoted to the mounting and the transfer move- I ment of the cradles 39 and to the elements for supporting a stack of cigarettes 5| for reception by the. cradles, there will now be described the 5 coaction of these mechanisms to effect the successive withdrawal of cigarettes from the chute and their transfer forwardly along the machine. It should be borne in mindthat when the motor 20 is in operation, the cradles 39 purfinger portions 63 and thereafter the passage of' With reference to providing that each cradle approaches the stacked cigarettes from the rear. As the operation of each cradle is the same as that of the others, a description of the operation of one is deemed sufficient for all.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 8, it will be seen that as each cradle 39 approaches the cigarette stack, the aligned stack-supporting fingers 59 and springs 68 and I0 liepartially below the level of the top of the cradle, but as the cradle fingers 48, 49, and 56 are spaced apart as described above, these supporting fingers and springs do not stand in the path of any cradle portion. The lowermost cigarette 5|, however, presents a different situation, since in addition to lying below the top level of the cradle, it presents a continuous transverse front which does stand in the way of the cradle fingers. As a consequence, when a craddle moves forwardly, that is, to the left of its Fig. 8 position, there is initially an engagement of the lowermost cigarette by the cradle fingers, immedately followed by a pushing action by these fingers which forces the lowermost cigarette forwardly from beneath the bottom of the stack, i. e., from the curved fingers 48, 49, and 50, acting through the cigarette, results in the for ard flexing of the depending fiat springs 6 so that the pushed or withdrawn cigarette oves under them. As soon This pushing by the cradle as this occurs, the stack itself descends to make 5|) lowermost the cigarette that just previously was the next to the bottom one, and the depending springs 68 flex back to hold this cigarette in place on the curved finger portions 62, ready for withdrawal by the succeeding cradle 39 in the manher described above.

It has been brought out above that when a cradle 39 becomes positioned on the upper runs of the chains 36, the curved stack-supporting finger portions 62 and also the finger portions 63 are spaced above the cradle base plate portions 44. Since the finger portions 63 extend forwardly and downwardly in this spaced relation, it will be seen that after the lowermost cigarette 5| [has been withdrawn from the stack, 1. e., from the 65 supporting curved finger portions 62, the support for the withdrawn cigarette becomes initially the finger portions 63 and not the cradle 39, and that this support by the finger portions 63 continues throughout their extent as the cigarette is pushed cradle has moved forwardly a sufiicient amount,

the cigarette rides off the finger portions 63 and passes to the notches 46 in the upstanding cradle ears 45 so as to be supported thereby during the further progress of the cradle and until discharge from the machine.

If the apparatus is actuated manually, as by the wheel 21, or if the motor 20 is driven so slowly that each cradle 39 slowly approaches the stack, slowly withdraws. a cigarette 5| therefrom, and slowly transfers it forward, the above-described structure is sufficient to effect a continued engagement of the withdrawn cigarette with the the cigarette to the notches 46 as stated above. The reason for this lies in the fact that since the cradle fingers 48, 49, and 50 would strike the lowermost stacked cigarette with a minimum of force, there would not be imparted to the cigarette sufiicient momentum to cause its being thrown forwardly and beyond the portion of the cradle 39 lying ahead of the fingers 48, 49, and 50.

It is contemplated and intended, however, that the embodiments of the present invention illustratedin Figs. 1-14 be operated at a rapid rate, a rate in keeping with the speed of present day cigarette-making machines, if desired. As this provides a different momentum situation for the successively withdrawn cigarettes, the abovementioned springs 19 are provided so that upon withdrawal from the bottom of the stack, each cigarette strikes the under faces of the springs 10 as an abutment and so is prevented from being thrown forwardly or out of the machine. The action of the springs 10 is best indicated in Fig. 9, showing that any upward movement of the cigarette is prevented. It will also be noted. however, with reference to Fig. 9, that the springs 10, in addition to their functioning to prevent an upward or forward throw of a withdrawn cigarette, also function, by reason of their downward inclination normally (Fig. 8) in slight convergence towards the finger portions 63, to lightly press the cigarette against the finger portions 63, thereby steadying it with reference to the cradle fingers 48, 49, and 50 and insuring that it remains in engagement with them, i. e.,

extending transversely of the machine as is in tended. It will also be appreciated from consideration of the structure, shown in Figs. 7, 8, and 9 that since the springs 10 extend forwardly for a greater distance than do the finger portions 63. after a withdrawn cigarette has ridden off the finger portions 63 the springs 10 continue to engage the top of the cigarette, not only pushing it down the rearward incline of the notches 46 so that the cigarette reaches the bottom of the notches but also continuing in engagement with the cigarette on the moving cradle for an interval after it reaches the bottom of the notches so as to insure its being steadied there in proper position. By reason of the above-described construction, it will be seen that the springs H1 and the finger portions 63 form a way to guide each withdrawn cigarette during its movement under the influence of the cradle fingers 48, 49, and 50, and that the cigarette is propcrly cradled in the notches 46 for further progress after leaving the influence of the springs 10.

Shortly after this cradling of a cigarette in the notches 46 and during the continued transfer of the thus cradled cigarette, treating fiuid is applied to one or both of its ends to form there the desired water-resistant, porous cake or plug of bound tobacco particles and fibres. Speaking very broadly, the structure for effecting this cradles 89 as they move past the cups, and are application of treating fluid comprises a source of fluid supply, applicating means, and means for actuating the applicating means. More specifically, the illustrated embodiments of the present invention show the provision of cup-like, fluidholdlng rotors located one at each side of the machine and provided peripherally with applicators for depositing treating fluid on the ends, respectively, of the cradled cigarettes during their successive transfer, the speed of the transfer of the cigarettes and the speed of rotation of the rotors being correlated so that as the cradled cigarettes successively reach a certain point on the machine during transfer, the applicators are also at said point, registering with the ends of the cigarettes to apply the fluid.

Describing the details of the above-mentioned structure, and referring to Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 5, the illustrated embodiments of the present invention are provided with spaced blocks 1I suitably mounted on the table T and located at opposite sides of the machine more, or less at its mid-portion. Each block 1I forms a support for a bifurcated standard 12 the nature of. which is best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the two standards being oppositely disposed and of identical and preferably integral construction. Referring particularly to Fig. 5, each standard comprises a base 13 having a flange 14 and a vertical passage 15, an upwardly and inwardly extending strut 18, a hub 11 at the upper end of the strut 18, a second strut 18 extending upwardly and outwardly from the hub 11, and a vertically disposed sleeve 19 carried by the upper end of the strut 18 and provided with a vertical cylindrical passage 99 of greater diameter than the passage 15 in the base 13 but aligned with it. The base 19 is secured to its block 1| by means of bolts 9| (Figs. 1, 3, 4, and whichare received in slots 82 (Figs. 4 and 5) formed in the flange 14 and which extend transversely of the machine so that the spacing between the two. standards 12 may be varied for the accommodation of cigarettesof different lengths, as will be described. Mounted fast in the passage 15 (Fig. 5) by means of a set screw 93 is a vertical rod 84 the upper end of which extends throughout the length of the sleeve passage 89, as indicated in Fig. 5. Q

The top of the sleeve 19 is horizontal and supportingly engages a boss 85 (Fig. 5) formed on the bottom of a circular cup 96 for holding treating fluid, the boss and the cup bottom being provided with a hub passage 81 through which the rod 84 upwardly extends andis provided within the cup with a flat plate 89 (Figs. 5, 10, and ll Each cup is provided with an upstandin annular outer wall 89 to which a cover 99 t. I (Figs; 1-5) is secured by means of screws, a

gasket 9I (Fig. 5) being interposed between the cover and the top of the wall. provided with an inner annular'wall 92 slightly lower than the wall 89 and spaced therefrom so as to form an annular passage or chamber 93,

. ures it will also be seen that the position of the blocks 1| is such that the cups 95 are-located adjacent the opposite ends,,respectively, of the Each cup is also therefore located more closely to the opposite ends of the cradled cigarettes.

Depending from the boss (Fig. 5) each cup 98. and integral therewith is a cylinder 94 which is journaled in the sleeve 89 and has its interior wall below the hub passage 91 spacedfrom the rod 84, and the cylinder 94 extends slightly beyond the bottom of the sleeve 19 and is provided with a depending reduced portion forming a shoulder 95 which a downwardly directed bevel gear 91 abuts. The gear 91 may be held against rotation on the reduced portion 95 by means of a Woodruif key 99 and is maintained in position vertically by means of a collar 99 threaded on the upper end of the reduced portion 95. Packing I99 is provided at the top of the interior of the cylinder 94 to prevent fluid in the cup 85 from leaking down through the hub passage 81, and a gland I9! engaging and interposed between the rod 84 and the interior wall of the cylinder 94 serves to hold the packing I99 in place. As shown in Fig. 5, the bottom of the gland I9I extends below the bottom of the cylinder reduced portion 95 and is supportedby the .upper face of an inverted cap I92 threaded on the reduced portion 95.

It is intended that the cups 85 be rotated simultaneously during the movement of the chains 39 and the cradles 39 carried thereby, and to this end a gear train is provided which in the embodiments of the present invention illustrated in Figs. 1-14 is operatively connected to the motor 29. Describing this drive construction more in detail and with the reference to Figs. 4 and 5, a horizontal shaft I93 is .iournaled in the hubs 11 so as to extend transversely across the machine, and splined to the opposite ends of the shaft,|93 so as to mesh with the bevel gears 91, respectively, are bevel gears I94 (Figs. 3, 4, and 5) each adjustably held in place axially of the shaft I93 by means of a set screw I95. Between the hubs 11 a gear I96 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) is non-rotatably appliedto the shaft I93, and the gear I99 meshes with an idler gear I91 (Figs. 2 and 3) mounted on a shaft I98 the ends of which are journaled in lugs I99 (Fig. 3) extending forwardly from the hubs 11. The idler gear I91 meshes with a large spur gear II9 (Figs. 1, 2, and 3) mounted on the shaft 39 between the sprocket wheels 32 and held in place by a set screw (not shown).

By reason of the above-described construction it will be seen that when the motor 29 is in operation, the train comprising the gears I98, I91,

and H9 and the pairs of bevel gears 91 and I94 serves to rotate the cups 86 at equal speeds and that this rotation of the cups takes place simultaneously with the movement of the chains 88 and the cradles 39. Since the bevelgears I94 are disposed outwardly at the opposite ends of their shaft I93 and face the bevel gears 91, respectively, it will also be seen that the bevel gears 91, and therefore the cups 86, rotate in opposite directions. Stated in another way, by reason of the gear train above described the cup 58 at the right side of the machine is rotated in a counterclockwise direction and the cup 88 at the left side of the machine is rotated in a clockwise direction, thereby providing that the. cup portions adjacent the cradled cigarettes 5| as they move past the cups move in the genera direction of the cigarettes themselves.

In order to provide the cups with treating fluid it is deemed preferable in the illustrated embodiments of the present invention that the cups themselves not be the ultimate source of supply during the operation of the machine but that such source should be separate from the cups. To this end, the illustrated embodiments of the present invention are provided with a suitable elevated tank or'container III (Fig. 1) adapted to hold the'treating fluid, and leading from the bottom of'the tank III so as to support it is a vertical pipe H2 the lower end of which is :re-

ceived by the inlet end of a shut-off valve H3. A short pipe H4 (Figs. 1, 3, and 4) depends from the outlet end of the valve II 3 and is received by the vertical arm of an inverted T H5. Leading from the right horizontal arm of the T H5 is a horizontal pipe I I6 having an elbow I I1 connected to its outer end, and depending from the elbow II I is a pipe H8 to which the inlet end of a shut-ofi valve H9 is connected. The lower or outlet end of the valve H9 connects with a pipe I the lower end of which is threaded into a coupling member I2I (best shown in Fig. 4) having a concave lower face, and engaged with this face is the convex face of a second coupling member I22 the internal diameter of which. is preferably greater than that of the member I2I. A retaining collar I23 abutting a shoulder formed beneath the convex face of the member I22 and threaded on the member I2I holds th two members together with their concave and convex faces, respectively, in engagement.

Threaded in the lower end of the coupling member I22 is the upper end of a pipe I24, the lower portion of which extends into the cup 86 (Fig. 5) and terminates in a horizontal flange I25 (Figs. 5, 10, and 11) which rests on the plate 88 inside the cup at the top of the rod 84. The flange I25 is provided on its under face with channels I26 to permit the flow of fluid from the pipe I24 to the interior of the cup, and to permit the ready flow of fluid to the annular chamber 93 of the cup, the wall 92" is provided with openings I21 adjacent the cup bottom. In extending into the cup 86 the pipe I24 is received in a vertical passage I28 (Fig. 5) formed in the cover 90 and in an integral annular boss I29 depending therefrom into the cup so that the illustrated cover construction gives the pipe I24 maximum lateral support. Adjacent the top of the cover the passage I28 is provided (Fig. 5) with an enlargement I30, and rising above the top of the cover is an integral annular boss I3I forming interiorly a continuation of the enlargement I30. Packing I32 received by the enlargement I30 and by the boss I3I to prevent the leakage of fluid from around the pipe I24 is heldin place by a packing I32 by means of a flanged collar I34 threaded on the boss I3I.

The above remarks about the supply of fluid to the cups 86 have been concerned chiefly with the elements which form a conduit portion connected to the right arm (Fig. 4) of the T H5. However, the elements which form a conduit portion connected to the left arm of the T H5 are identical, except in one particular, with those above described, so that it will be understood that the left hand cup receives treating fluid from the container I I I in substantially the same manner as does the right hand cup.

The difference between conduit elements at the opposite sides of the horizontal arms of the T II 5 is occasioned by the fact that since it is intendedthat the standards 12 be variably positioned toward and away from each other on their blocks 1|, and since this variable positioning nev by an elbow I like the elbow II'I.

cessitates a corresponding variance in the position of the cups 86, it is necessary that the horizontal conduit portion be capable of shortening or elongation, as it were, to make movement of the standards I2 possible. To achieve this end, a short horizontal pipe I35 (Figs. 1 and 4) extends from the left arm of the T H5 and its free end is threaded into a gland I36, while slidingly received within a retaining collar I 31 threaded on the gland I36 is a horizontal pipe I38. Packing I39 surrounding the pipe I38 is held in place by the collar I31, and the end portion of the pipe I38 extending beyond the collar I3! is received With the above construction it will be seen that these elements perform the same conduit function, so far as material flow is concerned, as does the pipe I I6, but that by reason of the packed and sliding fit of the pipe I38 in the collar I31, the abovedescribed horizontal conduit portion can be shortened or elongated transversely of the machine, thereby permitting a change of position of the standards I2 on their blocks. There may thus be at all times a free flow of fluid from the container III to the cups 86.

In order to effect the transfer of treating fluid from the cups 86 to one or both ends of a cradled cigarette 5I as it moves past the cups, the present invention contemplates that the cups be each provided with an applicator construction. Merely for purposes of illustration and not of limitation, each cup 86 is herein shown as having one such construction. While any applicator arrangement may be utilized which is suitable for the purpose, I have shown herein two types as being representative, a wetted wick type being shown in Figs. 1-5, 10, and 11 and a nozzle type being shown in Figs. 12 and 13. These two types have certain common structural features, and the wick type will be described first.

Referring to Figs. 5, 10, and 11, the outer wall 89 of each cup 86 is provided with a horizontal passage open at each end and comprising three parts, a relatively narrow cylindrical portion I4I communicating with the annular chamber 93, a threaded cylindrical portion, I42 wider than the portion I and extending forwardly thereof, and a still wider front cylindrical portion I43 terminating at the exterior of the wall 89 and havgland I 33, and the gland is pressed against the ing an annular base which forms a seat. The three passage portions have a common longitudinal axis, which axis is at the level of the longitudinal axis of the cradled cigarettes, as indicated best in Fig. 5.

Mounted in the wall passage above described is a wick holder I44 the body of which comprises a central portion I45 threaded in the passage portion I42, a rear cylindrical portion I46 received in the passage portion MI, and a forward portion I4I seating on the base of the passage portion I43. The holder I44 is also provided with an axial fluid passage I48 (Figs. 5 and 11) terminating at its rear end in a recessed frustoconical valve seat I49 communicating with the annular chamber 93 and terminating at its forward end in a boss I50 the interior of which is provided with a frusto-conical depression I5I the smaller base of which merges into the axial passage I48. Interposed between the boss I5I and theforward portion I4'I the holder -may be provided with a flange I52 of preferably hexagonal contour to facilitate threading the holder in the cup wall 89.

Completing th above construction is the wick I53 itself which may be made of any suitable .smaller diameter than the base of the tapered portion so as to present a shoulder (Figs. and 11) at the mouth of the boss I50 for abutment by a retaining collar I54 threaded on the boss to retain the wick in place. The dome portion of the wick by capillarity absorbs fluid from the rear of the wick and protrudes forwardly from the central portion of the collar I54. It will also be noted that the center of the wick is at the level of the longitudinal axis of the cradled cigarettes, as shown in Fig. 5, and the dome has a diameter appreciably less than that of a cig- 4 arette.

It having been shown above that when the motor 20 is in operation, the train comprising the gears I06, I01, and IIO and the pairs of bevel gears 91 and I04 serves to rotate the cups 86 at equal speeds and that this rotation occurs simultaneously with the movement of the chains 36 and the cradles 39, it seems desirable to elaborate on thissubject matter at this point, rather than later, in view of the position of the above-described wick structure in relation to the cups 86. It is intended that as the cups continuously rotate, the wicks I53 and their holders I repeatedly move into and out of alignment. While it will be seen that this alignment occurs alternately inwardly and outwardly of the machine, it is with the inward alignment that the illustrated embodiments of the present invention are concerned. Moreover, it is also intended that whenever the wicks I53 are thus inwardly aligned, a cradled cigarette 5| shall be both aligned with and engaged by them (Figs. 1-5) 50 as to receive treating fluid, receiving it at both ends if the shut-off valves II 9 are both open, and receiving it at only one end if one of these valves is closed.

So far as repeated cigarette and wick alignment in a horizontal plane is concerned, the manner of its achievement has already been describedin that the axial levelsof the cradled cigarettes 5| and the wicks I53 are the same, as shown in Figs. 1, 4, and 5. Alignment and engagement in a vertical plane, however, are dependent upm several factors. Initially, the cups 00 themselves must be so positioned relatively to each other that the wicks I53 are capable of repeated alignment as the cups rotate, and this may be accomplished most easily during the assembling of the machine. To illustrate this, let

.there be considered an assembling stage in which the spur gear I I0 is loose on the shaft 30 and, with reference to Fig. 4, the right hand standard 12, its associated gearing, cup mechanism, and piping through the collar I31, which preferably is loose, are assembled as a unit and are mounted on the right hand block H with the bolts 0| loose but in position. So far as the left hand side of the machine (Fig. 4) is concerned, let the left hand standard 12, its associated gearing excluding the bevel gear I04, and the cup mechanism and piping through the horizontal pipe I38 be considered as assembled as a unit but not as yet assembled with the remainder of the machine. Let the left hand bevel gear I04 also be considered as removed from the machine. With this assembly stage existing, the left hand standard 12 and associated parts are (ill placed on the left hand block II and the unit is moved toward the right hand standard 12 until the horizontal pipe I38 enters the collar I31 and the left hand end of the shaft I03 enters the journal in the left hand hub 11 but does not extend beyond its outer'orvleftehand (Fig. g

4) face. With the various parts in this condition, the cups 86 are manually rotated until the wicks I53 are in inward alignment, and when this has been done the left hand bevel gear I04 is meshed with its bevel gear 01 in such manner as to be in position to receive the shaft 30 upon further movement of the left hand standard 12 to the right (Fig. 4), whereupon, without changing the wick alignment, the left hand standard is so moved until the parts assume substantially the position shown in Fig. 4. The left hand bolts 8I are then put in place, but are not tightened, and since it is intended that the aligned wicks slightly grip the opposite ends, respectively, of a cigarette aligned with them, the positions of both standards 12 are adjusted so that the standards are equally spaced from th longitudinal center line of the machine and so that the distance between the aligned wicks is slightly less than the length of the cigarettes to be treated. By Feason of this adjustment of the standards 12 it will be seen that the proper spacing between the aligned wicks I53 may be effected for any given length of cigarette to be treated, and once the desired spacing is achieved, the collar I31 is tightened on the gland I36 and the bolts 8| are tightened on the blocks 1]. Thereafter the left hand setscrew I05 is tightened and the spur gear II 0 is made fast on the shaft 30, and with the above assembling acts completed, it 'will be seen that if the spur gear H0 is thereafter continuously rotated, the cups 86 will rotate in such manner that the wicks I 53 will repeatedly move into and out of alignment.

When the repeated alignability and spacing of the wicks I 53 has been arranged for, there remains the matter of insuring that whenever the wicks are aligned inwardly of the machine, a cradled cigarette 5| is aligned with and engaged by them. It being remembered that for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation the chains 36 are herein shown as carrying four equally spaced cradles 39, this wick and cigarette alignment and engagement is made possible by causing the gear train I06, I01, H0, 91, and I04 to have such net speed at the cups 86 that while the chains 36 are making one complete circuit each cup is making four complete revolutions. With the correlation of chain speed and cup speed thus provided, the adjustment of the machine for repeated cigarette and wick alignment and engagement is effected by rotating the hand' wheel 21, while the spur gear H0 is loose on the shaft 30 as stated above, until a cradled cigarette is properly aligned with and engaged by the aligned Wicks, after which the spur gear II 0 is made fast'on the shaft 30. As a result, when the motor 20 is in operation, a cradled cigarette will be aligned with and engaged by the wicks I53 whenever the wicks themselves are aligned inwardly of the machine, and there will be no wick and cigarette alignment, and no cigarette will pass by the cups, when the wicks are aligned outwardly of the machine. It will also be appreciated that since the spacing between the wicks I53 when inwardly aligned is slightly less than the length of a cigarette, the Wicks will initially engage the cigarette ends at a point slightly in advance of the cigarette and wicks alignment point and will likewise not leave contact with the cigarette ends until the cigarette has progressed slightly forwardly of said alignment point. The wicks thus engage the cigarette ends during the movement of the former along a small arc in the general direction of transfer of the cigarettes.

In connection with this last, attention is called to the fact that the radius from a cup axis of rotation to the front of a wick need not be greater than the radius from a cup axis of rotation to the outside edge of the front face of a wick-retaining collar I54. The first radius may even be slightly less, without causing the collars to engagethe cigarette ends, for it will be realized that as each cigarette moves toward the cigarette and wicks alignment point, those edge portions of the collars I54 which are nearest the cigarette are in advance thereof and are also moving forward, and that as a cigarette moves away from the cigarette and wicks alignment point, the opposite edge portions of the collars I54 are rearward of the cigarette, which is moving away from them.

Referring again to the above-described construction for the cup and wick elements and the conduit system by which the treating fluid flows to the wicks I53 from the container I I I, it will be seen that in the absence of further structure the fluid in each annular cup chamber 93 would continuously flow into its associated holder axial passage I48 and as a consequence would present a continuous and even supply of fluid for capillary absorption by the wick I53 itself. The wicks thus would tend to have a constant wetness, i. e.,

would continuously carry a substantially constant quantity of treating fluid, a portion of which would be transferred to the cigarette ends when the wicks touch them as has just been described. This fluid portion so transferred would, of course, constantly be replenished by further capillarity.

There are certain factors, however, which make this simple mode of operation undesirable, one of them arising when the treating fluid has such composition as to contain a volatile solvent. Where this is the case, the wick feeding operation above referred to is wasteful of fluid, for each wick I53 engages a cigarette end during only a small arc of the 360 degree rotation of its cup,

and as a result the solvent on the surface of the wick is exposed to the air for evaporation during the major portion of its travel. This situation would be true whether each cup carried only one wick or a plurality thereof, and while this evaporation would be minimized by making the wicks of such material as to permit only relatively slow capillarity, the danger then arises of having the wick capillarity so slow that while sufficient for proper successive applying operations with the cups 96 rotating at a given speed, it would be insuflicient for proper successive applying operations when the cups .rotate at a higher speed. Speed of rotation of the cups 86, i. e., the number of fluid applications per unit time, is thus a second factor influencing the nature of the arrangement for the wicks I53. A third factor is centrifugal force. Since it is desirable that the wicks I53 be made. of material permitting high capillarity so that they will have a sufllcient constant wetness when the cups 86 are rotating very rapidly, the danger arises that the centrifugal force produced by such rapid cup rotation would tend to throw off free fluid from the wicks and thus result in a waste of fluid as well as in a throwing of it upon machine parts and even upon the moving cigarettes themselves.

To prevent these results, i. e., an insuflicient wetness of the wicks I53 for the speed desired of successive applying operations, or a waste of treating fluid by evaporation or throwing, it is contemplated that in the embodiment of the present invention illustrated as having wick type applicators, the wicks be of material such as to permit rapid capillarity so that the machine can be operated rapidly and that to offset the undesired efiects of such capillarity the flow of -fluid to the wicks be cut off during part of the rotation of the cups 86. To this end, and referring to Figs. 5, 10, and 11, mounted slidingly in a passage I55 (Figs. 10 and 11) formed in the cup wall 92 and axial with the passage I 48 in the wick holder I44 is a valve I56 the forward end of which has a frusto-conical surface I51 adapted to seat in the frusto-conical recess I49 at the rear of the holder portion I46. Rearwardly the valve I56 is provided with a frusto-conical cam roll I58 integral therewith with its smaller base directed forwardly, and behind the roll I58 is an integral guide pin I59 slidingly received in a passage I68 formed in the cover boss I29. As best shown in Fig. 11, a spring I6I coiled about the valve pin I59 and interposed between the boss I29 and the cam roll I58 serves to maintain the valve normally closed to shut off the flow of fluid from the chamber 93 to the axial passage I48 and the wick I53. Completing this structure is a needle I62 integral with the valve member I56 and extending forwardly therefrom within the axial passage I48 to terminate in a blunt end portion which penetrates the tapered rear end of the wick I53 when the valve is closed (Fig. 11).

In order to open the valve and thus permit the flow of treating fluid along the axial passage I48 to the wick I53, the plate 88 which is fast to the top of the stationary rod 84 is provided at its free end portion with an upstanding ridge I63 on the inner face of which are formed three cam surfaces A, B, and C sloping in a manner complementary to the slope of the frusto-conical surface of the cam roll I58. With reference to Fig. 11, in which the cup 86 is shown moving counterclockwise but with the cam roll I58 not yet having reached the plate 88, the cam surface A begins at the front of that end of the ridge I63 which is nearest the roll I58 and curves inwardly along the ridge a short distance where it merges with the cam surface B. This surface has a curvature of uniform radius with respect to the axis of rotation of the cup 86 so as to constitute a dwell and preferably extends more than a third of the length of the ridge, after which it merges into the cam surface C which curves outwardly to the front of that end 'of the ridge which is farthest from the roll I58 in its Fig. 11 position. By reason of this construction, as the cup r0- tates from its Fig, 11 position in a counter-clockwise direction the cam roll I58 is initially pressed forwardly by the spring I6I so that the valve I56 is closed, but the roll I 58 begins to move rearwardly against the yielding resistance of the spring I6I as soon as the roll strikes the cam surface A, thereby causing the valve I56 to become unseated and the holder axial passage I48 opened. Further rotation of the cup 86 causes the roll I58 to move farther back until it engages the cam surface B, along which it dwells with the valve in fully opened position, until reaching the cam surface C, at which point the forwardly receding curvature of this surface permits the spring I 6I to push the roll I58 forwardly until the valve I56 is closed as soon as the roll passes off the end of the surface C.

It will be noted that the plate 88 is not located so that the ridge I63 is disposed symmetrically on oppos te sides of a line represented by the aligned axes of the cigarette and the wicks I53 (Fig. 10), but instead is so positioned that the center of the surface C is substantially at said line. The reason for this construction lies in the fact that very shortly after a moving cradled cigarette and the moving wicks pass the point (Fig. 2) where the axes of the cigarette and the wicks are aligned, the wicks move away from the adjacent cigarette ends, thereby rendering unnecessary any further feed of fluid to the wicks for that particular cigarette. Conversely, it is desirable that the valves I56 begin to open relatively far in advance of the alignment point (Fig.

' 2) of the axes of the cigarette SI and the wicks I53, so that by the time said alignment point is reached the valves I56 have become fully opened and have remained so for an interval to permit suflicient fluid to enter and flow along the axial passages I48 so that by absorption and capillarity the wicks are provided or replenished with fluid for appl'cation to the approaching cigarette ends.

While the plate 86 and the ridge I63 have been illustrated and described as having the particular location and the particular cam surfaces A, B, and C. set forth, I wish it clearly understood that these particulars have been shown merely for purpose of illustration and not of limitation. The head of the fluid, the viscosity of the fluid, the speed with which the wick material permits capillaritv. and the speed of rotation of the cups 86 are all factors which influence the rate at whch fluid should flow along the axial passages I48 and the time during which the valves I56 should be opened, and while the illustrated plate, ridge, and cam surface constructions are well suited for one use of the present invention, changes in the factors mentioned above may make it des rable to make changes in the nature, extent. or contour of the elements just named, which changes obviously would be within the scope of the present invention. To facilitate any desired shift in the position of the plate 88, the portion of each rod 84 exposed between a standard base 13 and the associated cap I02 may be provided with wrench grooves I64 (Fig. 5).

While the embodiment of the present invention so far described has been characterized by having wick type fluid applicators, it is also contemplated, as stated above, that an embodiment may be provided with nozzle type applicators. To this end, and referring to Figs. 12 and 13, each of the standard sleeves 19 may support a cup I65 wh ch is somewhat smaller in diameter than the cups 86, if desired, and is provided with a thinner outer wall I66, but which in other respects is so effectively identical with corresponding structural features associated with thecups 86 that in Figs. 12 and 13 the reference numerals of Figs. 5, 10, and 11 have been used coupled with A to make this correspondence more readily appreciable.

The outer wall I66 of each cup I is provided with a passage I61 into which is threaded one end of a tubular nozzle member I68 provided with a cylindrical passage I69,axially aligned with the passage I55A in the annular inner wall 92A and with the passage I60A in the cover boss I28A, and threaded to the forward end of the nozzle member I68 is a nozzle I10 having a frusto-conical front the smaller base of which is forward and presents a face having a diameter appreciably less than that of a cigarette. The nozzle I10 is provided with a forward recess I1I having a rounded bottom from which a passage I 12 extends rearwardly in alignment with the axial passage I68 and terminates in a seat. Passages I21 A at the bottom of the inner wall 82A permit the ready flow of fluid from the pipe I24 and channels I28 into the annular chamber 93A, as is the case with the passages I21 shown in Figs. 5, 10, and 11. By reason of this construction the clips I 65 are each provided with a nozzle structure the delivery passage of which communicates with the annular chamber 93A in its associated cup, thereby providing for the flow of fluid from each cup for discharge by way of its nozzle passage I12 and the recess I". As a matter of structure, it should be pointed out that the radius extending from the axis of rotation of each cup I65 to the front face of its nozzle I10 preferably is substantially the same as the radius extending from the axis of rotation of each cup 86 to the front of its wick I53 so that the nozzles I10 engage the cigarette ends, respectively, while the cups I65 rotate, in the same manner as has been described above for the wicks I53.

In order to control the flow of liquid through each nozzle passage I12 and recess III, the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figs. 12 and 13 is provided with a valve I13 which is structurally similar to the valve I56. Its needle I14, however, differs from the needle I62 in the two respects that the forward end of the needle I14 is conical so as to seat at the rear end of the nozzle passage I12, and intermediate its ends and within the passage I12 the needle I14 is provided with a block I15, preferably square in cross section as shown in Fig. 14, which tends to exert a pushing effect upon the fluid ahead of it as the valve I13 closes, and the side edges of which engage the axial passage I12, thereby guiding the needle I 14 in its movements while permitting the flow of fluid through the passage I12 and insuring that the needle I14 always seats properly. Rearwardly the valve I18 is provided with a cam roll I58A and a pin I58A which slides in the passage I60A and around which a spring I 6IA is coiled, these last elements being structurally and operatively identical with the corresponding elements in Figs. 5, 10, and 11.

As is the case with the valves I 56, it is contemplated that each valve I13 be cam actuated, and to this end the rod 84 is provided inside its cup I 65 with a horizontal plate I16, similar to the plate 88, the free end of which terminates adjacent the cup wall 92A and is provided with a ridge I11. This ridge has cam surfaces D, E, and F which are successively engaged by the cam roll I58A during the rotation of the cup I65 to initially cause the roll I58A to recede and open the valve I13, then to dwell in receded position so that the valve remains open, and then to permit the roll I56A to move forward under the influence of the spring I6IA until the valve is closed, respectively, all in a manner similar to the action of the cam surfaces A, B, and C on the roll I56.

It will be appreciated, however, that the application of treating fluid by means of nozzles on rotating cups presents an applying situation which differs in an important respect frointhe application of'iluid by means of wicks on rotating cups. This arises byreason of the action of centrifugal force, and is based on the fact that whereas the wicks present merely wetted surfaces to the cigarette ends and bodily absorb and hold fluid, thereby providing an obstruction, as it were, to prevent the discharge of a body of fluid from the holder axial passages I05, this situation does not exist with the use of the nozzles I10, for so long as the valves I13 are open the centrifugal force generated by the rapid rotation of the cups I65 augments the head of the fluid and results in the free and direct ejection of a body of fluid from the nozzles. It will therefore be seen that if the ridge I 11 had the extent and contour of the ridge I63, there would be ejected from the nozzles I10 a relatively great quantity of fluid in a free'condition, more than would be present at any given time as a film on the surface of the wick domes by reason of the inherent nature of wick action, and hence more than. would be needed to treat the cigarette ends properly- As a consequence, in the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13, the amount of fluid discharged is cut down in one manner by giving the ridge 011 a considerably less extent than the ridge I68, as will be seen by comparing Fig. 13 with Figs. 10 and 11.

The above remarks are directed to that control over the nozzle discharge which is represented by the mere duration of valve I13 actuation, but further factors for control are the location of the discharge and the nature of valve actuation, 1. e., the time during which the valves I13 are moving open or moving closed. The location of the discharge is of importance in view of the two facts that the cups I65 are rotating when the discharges from the nozzles I10 occur and that while the nozzles are moving towards a position of alignment inwardly of the machine, a cradled cigarette is also moving toward them for simultaneous alignment and engagement therewith. Because the cups I65 are rotating when the nozzle discharges occur, each discharge assumes an arcuate course, thereby raising the two problems of not having the discharges flung wide of or beyond the approaching cigarette, as would be the case if the discharges began when the nozzles were 90 degrees rotatively away from the cigarette, for an absurd example, and of not having the valves I13 open after the cigarette and nozzles alignment point has been reached, it being remembered that very shortly thereafter the cigarette ends and the nozzles move away from each other. This last matter is taken care of by so locating the plate I15 that as the nozzles and cigarette become aligned, the cam roll I58A rides off the cam surface F of the ridge I11, so that the valve I13 is closed as soon as the alignment and engagement point is reached. The first problem is taken care of by making the ridge I11 sufliciently short so that when the cam roii I58A first strikes the cam surface D, the nozzles I10 and the approaching cigarette 5| are moving in the same general direction, 1. e., are almost aligned although not yet actually so. With such operation the direction of fluid discharge is initially directed at the centers of the ends of the approaching cigarette, and continues so since the cigarette continues to move in the path of discharge as the cups I 65 continue to rotate.

The precise curves which the cam surfaces D. E, and F are to have and the extent of the dwel surface E are dependent upon the head of the fluid, the viscosity of the fluid, and the speed of rotation of the cups I65, as is the case with the cam surfaces A, B, and C, so that within the scope of the present invention changes may be made in the nature, location, or contour of the surfaces D, E, and F and the ridge I11 in accordance with different operating conditions. It may be stated, however,that the surface D, which is the one first engaged by the cam roll IBBA, preferably has a relatively great extent so that the nozzles I10 are much nearer the cigarette ends when the roll has reached the dwell surface E than when the roll initially rides on the cam surface D, thereby providing a delay in the full opening of the valves H3 and hence a delay in t 'e reaching of full volume of the discharges. n the other hand, the cam surface F is preferably relatively short in extent, thereby causing the valves I13 to become quickly closed so as to take advantage of the fluid pushing effect of the needle blocks I15 to hasten the discharge as the cigarette and nozzles alignment point is being reached.

The illustrated embodiments of the present invention preferably are provided with two further features of structure to increase their efliciency and make for smooth and uniform operation. In theuse of endless chains with machinery in general, there is a certain amount of vibration both vertically and laterally, and while this vibration may not be objectionable when the sole function of the chains is to act as a drive, such vibration, however slight, may be objectionable when the chains also function to support work pieces, particularly when the work pieces are cigarettes, which are light objects, and when their opposite ends must be aligned with fluid applicators during travel on the chains.

In order to offset any chain vibration, which might throw the cigarettes and applicators out of horizontal alignment, it is contemplated in the illustrated embodiments of the present invention that the chains 36 be constrained to a horizontal path in the vicinity of that point on the machine where fluid application to the cigarette ends occurs, thereby insuring that if there is vertical vibration elsewhere in the chains it does not exist where fluid is applied. To this end the hub lugs I09 are each provided with an upstanding lug 818 (Figs. 3 and 4) which is located below its adjacent chain run and which carries a plate I19, preferably about one eighth of an inch thinner than the spacing between the plates 38A of the chain runs as indicated in Fig. 4. The two plates I19 are horizontally disposed so as to function as rails on the tops of which the chain cylinders 38 rest, and have such height that the level of the axis of a cradled cigarette 5I is the same as that of the wicks I53 or the nozzles I10. By reason of this construction plus the further fact, shown in Fig. 3, that the rails I19 extend forwardly and rearwardly of the point where fluid is applied to the cigarette ends, it will be seen that as each cradle 39 approaches the fluid applying point, its supporting chain portion becomes vertically steady, if it were not so before, so that each cradled cigarette approaches, engages, and then leaves the wicks I53 or the nozzles I10 while being transferred along a horizontal path at the proper level. As a practical matter it will be found preferable that the left hand rail I19 (Fig. 4) not be mounted on its lug na until after the assembling operations for insurlng alignment of the wicks I53, set forth above.

In serving to constrain the upper runs of the chains 36 to a horizontal path in the vicinity of the point of fluid application to the cigarette ends, to prevent vertical chain vibration there, the rails I18 by reason of being located between the plates 38A of the chains 36 also limit any tendency which the chains may have to vibrate horizontally. Cooperating with this latter action the present invention contemplates the use of a guideway located adjacent the opposite sides of the path taken by the cradled cigarettes, the purpose of the guideway being to prevent the cigarettes from shifting in the cradles 39 to any extent laterally under the influence of what lateral vibration the chain runs may have. To this end, and referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, each front standard 3I is provided with an upright arm I86 and each rear standard is provided with a similar upright arm I8I, and the pairs of these arms at opposite sides of the machine have secured thereto vertically disposed and longitudinally extending plates I82. The plates I82 have such width that their tops and bottoms extend above and below, respectively, the path taken by each cradled cigarette as a whole (Figs. 1 and 3), and as the plates are located adjacent the outer sides of the respective chain runs and extend substantially throughout the length of the machine, they form guide walls adjacent the sides of the cigarette path for limitin any lateral movement of the cigarettes substantially from the time each is withdrawn from the curved stack-supporting finger portions 62 until discharge from the machine, In view of the fact (see Figs. 1, 2, and 4) that the guideway plates I82 are so located with respect to the path of the cradled cigarettes as. in effect, to chord across the are taken by the wicks I53 or the nozzles I16 in approaching, reaching, and leaving the fluid application point, each plate'I82 is provided with a recess I83 (Figs. 2, 3, and 4) of such length and depth as to give complete wick and nozzle clearance. In order to limit any lateral vibration which the plates I82 themselves may exhibit, it is contemplated that they be connected together, and to this end are provided (Figs. 1, 2, and 3) with inverted channel-shaped clips I84 which extend across and above the chains 36 and which rest on the tops of the plates I62 with the depending arms of the rearward clip hugging the plates I82, respectively, and the depending arms of the forward clip hugging the uprights I88, respectively, and secured thereto. In order to prevent any tendency of a cradled cigarette that has received treating fluid from being dislodged vertically as it approaches the point of d sch rg from the machine, the clips I84 may be provided with longitudinally extending flat strips I85 the inner ends of which, located adjacent the fluid application point, are preferably somewhat upturned. As a matter of manufacture, the clips I84 and the strips I85 may conveniently be an integral stampmg.

In view of the fact that the functions of the various parts of the mechanisms illustrated in .Figs. 1-14 have been explained above, it is not deemed necessary to recite here in any detail the operation of these embodiments as a whole. Attention may, however, be called to certain items. Since the rails I19 are thinner than the transverse distance between the plates 38A of each chain 36, it will be seen that when the rails I18 are engaging the inner chain plates, as in Fig. 4,

the machine is illustrated as set up for treating cigarettes of relatively short length. For treating cigarettes of relatively long length, the standards 12 would be spaced apart farther than shown, resulting in the rails I18 being located between the chain plates 38A or engaging the outer plates.

The chute formed by the frame members 54 and the vertical plates 58 may be filled and replenished with cigarettes manually or by some suitable feeding device, and with this arranged for and the container III provided with fluid, the apparatus is ready for operation. Both or only one end of the cigarettes may be treated by opening both or only one of the shut-off valves II9, since these valves control the flow of fluid to the cups and hence to the wicks I53 or the nozzles I10. When th motor 20 1s turned on, the cups 86 or I65 rotate at equal speeds and simultaneously and in timed relationship with the movement of the chains 36. Since the rods 84 and theircam plates 88 or I16 remain stationary, rotation of the cups causes the cam rolls I58 or I58A to strike the cam surfaces so that the valves I56 0r I13 are opened and closed as desired, and while cup rotation is going on, causing the wicks or nozzles to repeatedly move into and out of a position of alignment inwardly of the machine, the cradles 39 are successively withdrawing cigarettes from the bottom of the chute and are-successively presenting them to the wicks or nozzles as they become aligned, with the ends of the cigarettes tangentially disposed to th wicks or nozzles and aligned therewith for the reception of treatin fluid, after which the cradles transfer the cigarettes along the machine for discharge in a treated condition. Upon being applied to the cigarette ends, the fluid is absorbed thereby and spreads through the tobacco fibres by capillarity, that is, by what may be called the physical power of imbibition which juxtaposed or clustered fibres present, with the result that the cigarette ends become provided internally of the paper wrapper with the desired water-resistant and porous plug or cake of bound tobacco fibres. It is to be noted, however, that since the diameter of each wick I53 and nozzle I18 front face is less than that of a cigarette, no fluid is applied to the wrapper, so that it is not discolored or wrinkled or otherwise changed from its normal appearance.

By insuring that the fluid in the containers I I I lever recedes below a given level, a definite minimum head of fluid always may be maintained, and the cups 86 or I65 are thus always full and in readiness for the flow of fluid when the valves I56 or I13 are opened. When the wick type of applicator is used, it may be stated that the repeated movements of the needles I62 into and out of engagement with the rear end of the wicks I53 serves to repeatedly tamp the wick ends, thereby maintaining the form of the wicks despite their wet condition and insurin that the wetted fibres do not expand rearwardly into the axial passages I48. The needles I62 also serve to agitate the fluid in the axial passages I48, thereby preventing any fluid clogging tendency, and the same statement may be made with respect to the needles I14, the blocks I15, and the axial passages I68 of the nozzle constructions.

By providing a sufficiently greater rotative speed for the cups 86 or I 65, it will be seen that the chains 36 may be provided with more than the illustrated four cradles 39, thereby resulting in the treatment of a greater number of cigarettes in a given time interval without increasing the speed of the chains. To the same end, the rotative speed of the cups 66 or I66 need not be increased, but instead the cups may be provided with a plurality of applicators while the chains are provided with a correspondingly greater number of cradles. This also makes for increased production without increasing chain speed. on the other hand, whatever the'number of cradles and applicators there may be, if it is desired to speed up the chains, it will be seen that cup speed will also be increased automatically and always in timed relationship to the chain speed, this arrangement also making for an increase in the number of cigarettes treated in any given time interval The,cigarette chute above described is, in its broadest aspect and considered with associated parts, a support in which one or more cigarettes are placed for withdrawal by the cradles 38. But the chute-type support described above represents only one general type which may be used, and is characterized by the fact that it may have no immediate connection with the operation of a cigarette-making machine, 1. e., the cigarettes which are in it may or may not be fed thereto directly from a cigarette-making machine, and the replenishing of the supply in the chute may or may not have any connection with the rate at which cigarettes are made by or fed from a cigarette-making machine. In order, therefore, to show that the present invention may be embodied in structure intended primarily for use in immediate connection with a cigarette-making machine, in Figs. -20 I have shown other support embodiments. While these will be described in detail, it may be stated here that they are designed to receive cigarettes directly as they come from a cigarette-making machine and support them for withdrawal by the cradles 38 and for the application of treating fluid as explained above. It should also be pointed out that in the Figs. 15-20 embodiments, the chute and associated supports, fingers, and springs of the Figs. l-14 embodiments are entirely removed, and the table T is so located with respect to the cigarettemaking machine that the sprocket wheels 35 and adjacent chain portions 36 are in the immediate vicinity of the delivery end of the cigarette-making machine.

Those familiar with present day cigarettemaking machines, particularly those made by the American Machine 8: Foundry Company, will recognize certain parts thereof in Figs. 15 16, 18, and 19. As these features of structure are well known, they may be briefly identified as the endless belt I86 located at the front or cigarettegathering end of the machine and by which the cigarettes are transferred away from the "catcher (not shown); the spaced frame walls I81 between which the belt I66 extends; the frame plate I88 upon which the frame walls I81 are supported; the shaft I88 journaled in the frame walls I81; the worm gear I80 and worm I8I by which the shaft I88 is driven through suitable connections from the prime mover of the machine itself; the belt-driving pulley I82 fast on the shaft I68 and around which the left hand or delivery end of the belt I86 passes; and the hand wheel I83 by which the tension of the belt I66 is adjusted. This construction is provided with a guide structure of the type indicated at I86 which may be located at each side of the belt I86 and at right angles to which the belt-carried cigarettes 6| are transferred. The guides I84 are of angle construction and comprise upright portions I86 forming guide walls adjacent the ends of the moving cigarettes and horizontal portions I86 resting on the tops of the frame walls I81 so as to slightly overlap the edge portions of the belt I66 and provided with slots i8? which receive studs I86 for adjustably holding the guides I86 in place. Except for their delivery ends, which will be described, the guides I84 preferably have the usual standard construction and operation. As is well @own, cigarettes transferred from the "catcher" by the belt I86 are receleved by a table or platform support along which they roll and from which they are gathered preparatory to packing, and as will be appreciated from inspection of Figs. 15-20, the present invention contemplates for embodiments thereof certain changes in the delivery end of the guide structures 888 and in the usual table or platform support, to the end that the cradles 38 may receive the cigarettes 5i directly as they come from the making machine, this in contrast to the cradle-reception from a chute-support of the type exemplified in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, and 9.

Referring to Figs. 15-17, in place of the usual table or platform support along which in present day cigarette-making machines the fed cigarettes roll from the delivery end of the belt 886, the illustrated embodiment of the present invention is provided with a bridge E88 comprising a. flat plate extending between the frame walls I81 and secured thereto by suitable brackets 286 at the usual level, i. (2., with the top surface of the bridge 088 slightly below the level of the top surface of the upper run of the belt 686 where it begins to bend downwardly ar und the pulley 182. As will be seen from inspection of Fig. 15, the edge of the bridge I88 adjacent the belt I86 is given the usual upward kniflng, thereby permitting the top surface of the plate at this edge to be almost in contact with the belt I66, and the marginal portions of the bridge 188 are overlapped by the horizontal guide portions I86.

* The delivery or left edge 2M of the bridge I88 preferably extends slightly beyond the adjacent ends of the frame walls I81 and the horizontal guide portions I86, and is downwardly curved, as indicated. By reason of this construction, the bridge functions as does an ordinary platform or table in present day cigarette-making machines to provide for the ready rolling transfer to the top of the bridge of cigarettes successively fed thereto by the belt I86. It will be appreciated, however, from Figs. 15 and 16 that the length of the bridge I88 is preferably somewhat less than that of the usual table or platform on cigarettemaking machines. The reason for this lies in the fact that it is intended with the instant embodiment of the present invention that the successively fed cigarettes 5I should not remain on the bridge I 88 for collection in the usual man- 'ner, but should roll or fall off the rounded delivery edge 26I, a matter which will be taken up in detail infra.

Turning now to the delivery end of the guides 584, it will be seen (Figs. 15 and 17) that their upright portions I do not terminate in the usual manner but instead comprise elongations 262 which are in the same planes, respectively, as the guide portions I but which extend downwardly and forwardly over the delivery edge 26I of the bridge I88 to a point below its level and adjacent the sprocket wheels 35 and the chain portions thereon. The elongations 282 thus form continuations oi' the'gulde portions I00, for it is intended that they constitute a way between the sides of which the cigarettes drop from the bridge I Just as the guide portions I85 constitute a way along which the cigarettes are successively fed along the belt I80, and the bridge I89.

In order to receive the cigarettes II which drop from the bridge i99, as will be described, the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figs. -17 is provided with a pair of spaced fingers 203 constructed to catch each cigarette and arrest its fall. Referring particularly to Figs. 16 and 17, each finger 203 is made of fiat material and is suitably secured to the under face of the bridge I99, and from the delivery edge 20l the fingers 209 each extend downwardly and forfingers 200 between the guide elongations 202 and comes to rest in the curved bottoms 204.

While in the preceding sentence reference has been made to a cigarette rolling down the inclines of the fingers 203, in the operation of the cigarette-making machine there may frequently be at a given time more than one cigarette supported by the fingers. It being desirable when the fingers 203 are thus supporting a plurality of cigarettes that the axes thereof at least adjacent the curved bottoms 204 will be in a plane, 1. e.,

that the cigarettes will lie along the inclines, it is .contemplated that the fingers 209 be associated with members which cooperate therewith to form a way insuring this result.

To this end, the forward inclined edges of the guide elongations 202 are engaged by the opposite ends of a fiat crossbar 206 provided with ears 201 which are bent over into engagement with the outer faces of the elongations 202 and are removably held in place by screws 208. Depending from the rear face of the crossbar 206 are a pair of spaced plates 209 the lower portions of which are bent rearwardly and then downwardly and forwardly in parallelism with the inclined portions of the fingers 203 and are spaced from them slightly more than the diameter of a cigarette. They maybe slightly wider than the fingers, 203 and are aligned'with them, and they terminate at a level above the top of a cigarette resting on the curved finger portions 204, preferably at about the mid-point of a cigarette lying upon the lowermost one. as indicated in Fig. 16. By reason of the parallelism and spacing between the plates 209 and the inclined portions of the fingers 203, it will be seen that the above-described construction insures that when a plurality of cigarettes lies along the fingers 203 from the curved portions 204 thereof upward; these cigarettes will have their axes substantially in a plane. i

Completing the above-described structure are two springs 2l0 which may be somewhat narrower than the fingers"! and the plates 209,

clined portions of the fingers 200, and then are bent at a point above thelevel of the cigarette 0| lying in the curved finger portions 204, from which point the fingers 2 H are arched forwardly so as to terminate ahead of the finger portions 205 and extend convergingly toward them.

If comparison be now made between Figs. 15-17 on one hand and Figs. 7-9 on the other, it will be seen that the structure described in the paragraphs just above has certain functional identities with structure shown in these last named figures. For one thing, it will be noted that Just as the curved fingerportions 02 support the lowermost cigarette in the stack above it, so do the curved finger portions 204 support the lowermost of what plurality of cigarettes there may be extending upward along the inclined portions of the fingers 203. For another thing, it will be noted that Just as the upright frame member portions 05 and 50 and the vertical plates 50 form a chute for the stack of cigarettes overlying the curved finger portions 62, so do the plates 209 and the inclined portions of the fingers 203, together with the guide elongations 202, form a chute for the cigarettes that fall oil the bridge delivery edge 20i.

I But the similarities stated above do not end here. It will also be seen that the fingers 203 are spaced apart (Figs. 15 and 17), and the plates 209 are likewise so spaced, in the same manner as is the case with the fingers 59 and the springs in Fig. 7; that the curved finger portions 204 have substantially the same spacing from the chains 25 as is the case with the curved finger portions 02; and that just as the frame members 54 and the vertical plates 58 are sufilciently spaced from the top horizontal chain runs so as to terminate above the level of the tops of the cradle fingers 48, 49. and 50 when the cradles 39 are horizontal, so are the lower edge of the crossbar 200 and the delivery edge 20i of the bridge I99 similarly spaced from the chains 36. In'fact, there are but two important structural differences between the above-described subject matter in Figs. 15-17 and the same injFigs. 7-9, and these are that in the latter figures the fingers 59 are associated with a horizontal portion of the chain runs while in Figs. 15-17 the fingers 203 are associated with a curved portion, and that, following from this latter positioning, the finger portions 205 and the springs 2|0' are curved towards the chains 20 whereas the fingerportions 63 and the springs 10 are straight but extend downwardly. 'These differences are only structural, however, and not functional, for the finger portions 205 and the springs 2i0 have substantially the same spacing throughout from each other and from the plates 44 of a cradle 29 passing under them as is the case with the finger portions 62, the springs 10, and a cradle 09 in Figs. 7-9, and perform along curved lines the samefunctions which'the finger portions 83 and the springs 10 perform linearly.

While the sprocket wheels 35 and the-chains 30 may be driven inthe Figs. 15-17 embodiment from a source independent of the cigarettemaking machine, it is preferred that the chains 20 be operatively connected to the making machine drive itself, thereby providing fora constant correlation between the speed of feed'of the belt I99 and thespeed of travel of the chains 36 and the cradles 39. To achieve this'end, the shafts 34 and Ill may be furnished with aligned gears 2H and 2, respectively, with a suitable chain2i0passing around and operatively cohnectingthem; i

The feeding of successive cigarettes to the curved finger portions 204 for successive withdrawal and transfer by the cradles 39 involves no rea1 departure from the mode of feeding cigarettes to the collecting table or platform in cigarette-making machines generally. The rolling of cigarettes from the belt I86 to the table or platform in present machines is utilized without change in the Figs. 15-17 embodiment of the present invention, and what difference there is is more a matter of addition than of substitution.

Beginning with the two facts that as the belt I86 receives made cigarettes from the catcher they are carried along the belt in quite regular spaced relationship and that the speed of the belt gives to each cigarette a momentum that causes it toroll along the receiving table or platform, there are several ways in which the curved finger portions 204 may successively receive cigarettes from the belt I86. For one mode of operation the bridge I99 may be sufficiently short so that the momentum imparted to each cigarette by the belt I86 is suflicient to cause it to roll the entire length of the bridge, to and over the delivery edge I thereof, and so to the curved finger portions 204. This method of operation, however, while within contemplated use, has the disadvantage that the proper length for the bridge I99 is too closely tied up with the speed of the belt I86, it being remembered that different belt speeds give the fed cigarettes different momenta, and hence different rolling distances. As a consequence, if the bridge I99 has a length adapted for the momentum imparted by a belt moving at its greatest speed, a slowing up of the belt may cause thecigarette to stop short of the delivery edge 20I, while a bridge length adapted for the momentum imparted by a relatively slow belt might be too short when the speed of the belt is increased, as the cigarettes would then be impelled along the bridge with greater force than necessary to cause them to roll properly off the delivery edge 20I and down the inclined portions of the fingers 203.

It is only this very last mentioned operation, however, which is to be avoided, and therefore the bridge can be given such length that in in tended use the momentum imparted by the belt I86 will not cause a given cigarette to roll the full length of the bridge I 99. With this arrangement a given cigarette stops short of the delivery edge 20I, but is thereafter pushed over the delivery edge by the impact of the next cigarette fed by the belt I86 and rolling along the bridge. In this operation, the second cigarette will stop short of the edge 20I until pushed thereover by the impact given it by the next succeeding cigarette fed by the belt, and this successive pushing and dropping of cigarettes from the delivery edge 20I may continue as long as the belt I86 is in operation. It is also contemplated that two or'more than two cigarettes may be on the bridge I99 before a succeeding cigarette causes the first there to be pushed off.

The preceding mode of operation is more desirable than the first as a general rule, but it does have the disadvantage (also exhibited in the first) that if there are particles of tobacco on the bridge I99, a given cigarette striking them may be deflected, resulting in destroying the regularity of position and movement of the succeeding cigarettes. It is realized that by having the guide portions I95 sufiiclently near the cigarette ends any disturbance of intended cigarette position may be minimized and practically eliminated, but to guard against mishap even under these conditions, a third mode of operation may be used. In this the bridge I99 is provided with a plurality of parallel and successively touching cigarettes, as indicated in Fig. 16. before the cigarette-making machine is set into operation, the row of cigarettes preferably extending from one end of the bridge to the other, and if desired the fingers 203 may also be provided with one or more cigarettes. Thus set up, the impact of a given belt-fed cigarette at the belt edge of the bridge I99 is transferred through the row of cigarettes thereon, causing the row to move along the bridge and also causing the cigarette at the delivery edge 20I to fall thereover and into the way formed by the plates 209, the elongations 202, andthe inclined portions of the fingers 203. The successive feeding of further cigarettes by the belt is but a repetition of the operation just described, and results in the successive presentation of cigarettes to the curved finger portions 204 for successive withdrawal and transfer away by the cradles 39. The effect of particles of tobacco on the bridge I99 is nil in the above-described mode or operation, for the deflection which a moving cigarette might exhibit by reason of the fact that a particle touches it at only a point is counteracted by the fact that that same cigarette is in juxtaposition to another cigarette which offers contact throughout its entire length.

In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that regardless of which of the above-described methods is used to cause cigarettes to drop oif the bridge delivery edge 20I, the withdrawal of a cigarette from the curved finger portions 204 involves fundamentally the same operation as is the case of the embodiments of the present invention shown in Figs. 7-9. As a cradle 39 approaches thelowermost cigarette 5| supported by the fingers 203, these fingers, the plates 209, and the springs 2I0 are so positioned as to' clear the cradle fingers 48, 49, and 50, but this is not the case with the cigarette, which presents a continuous transverse front below the tops of the cradle fingers, as in Figs. 7-9. As a consequence the cradle fingers push the cigarette away from the curved finger portions 204 in a forward and upward direction for the chain portion carrying the cradle is as yet only moving towards the horizontal at the top of the sprocket wheels 35. After withdrawal from the curved finger portions 204, the immediate support for the pushed cigarette is not the cradle 39 alone but is also the curved finger portions 205, and the cigarette is pushed along these latter, which curve toward the level of the cradle plate portions 44, until the cigarette rides off them to the notches 46, all in a manner similar to the movement of a cigarette along the finger portions 63, as explained above. In order to prevent any throwing of a cigarette from a cradle 39 and the curved finger portions 205 upon its withdrawal from the fingers 203, which might result from the momentum caused by the rapidly moving cradle, the springs 2I0 function as an abutment for each withdrawn cigarette in the same manner that the springs I0 function, and in addition the springs 2I0 cooperate with the finger portions 205 to form a way in which the withdrawn cigarette is steadied as its cradle approaches the horizontal and also continue in engagementwith the cigarette after it has ridden off the finger portions 205 to insure that the cigarette is pushed into and is steadied 

